Whew, what a day! Today was day one of what will be a two day install. I was good....I didn't look at my hair all that closely until I got home. I finally took a good look and I am so excited (I know, I keep using that word). I'm loving my parting. It looks sooooo cool. Okay, I'm ecstatic, optimistic, uhmmmmmm.....all of the above. My consultant is great and I'm going to enjoy working with her.
Today she finished the right side and the back. Tomorrow she will finish the top and left hand side. I put on a scarf for the drive home (didn't want to scare the others on the road...lol). At home I changed scarves and told my husband that he couldn't see until it was all finished. He was like "okay." So tomorrow will be the reveal.
I will take pictures tomorrow morning....if I remember. I'm hoping my baby girl stays sleep all night tonight. (says prayer).
Tomorrow is day 2. I can't wait. My head is only half done and already I'm thinking of the possibilities.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sisterlocks Consultations
I ultimately decided that I wanted to work with a certified consultant who had been doing Sisterlocks for a number of years (at least 5). I wanted someone who would be meticulous, caring, open to questions, and wouldn't mind my nitpicking. I ask lots of questions.
I looked at the names on the Sisterlocks website and decided to Google them to see if anyone popped up. Three names popped up and I called the first on the list. When I first reached her, she was driving and we got disconnected. I called back and left two messages over the course of a week. She never called me back.
The second consultant I called was very pleasant and I scheduled a meeting with her. She was very nice, showed me the video, discussed my hair type, put test locks in my hair. I wasn't comfortable with some of the comments she made about the video. The Sisterlocks video is an older video, but in showing me the video the consultant complained about it instead of using it to explain more about the Sisterlocks installation process. She put the test locks (2 rows of 3 each-two different sizes) on the right side of my head, right above my ear, and then took them back out when I asked about their location and if she was going to leave them in. She mentioned that the Sisterlocks home office "didn't like her." She also stated that she usually installs medium and large locks. I got the feeling that I would wind up with medium or large locks if I were to choose her. I wanted small (but not micro). I decided that she was not the one for me. Her price was very reasonable, but I was looking for someone I connected with, felt comfortable with. After all, I will be working with this person for years to come.
The third consultant I contacted was very nice. When I initially called her, she was out of town. I called her again and was able to schedule a meeting with her on the same day as the first consultation which was great because I was in the area. I walked into her work space and was instantly put at ease. Incense, calming colors, soothing music, nice decor, professional set-up. She showed me the video, stopped the video periodically to point out the hair styles, talk about the comments and suggestions in the video, and even showed me beginning and current pictures of some of the women in the video. I liked that she was very thorough in the information she presented. I liked that she answered my questions and seemed very knowledgeable about my hair type and about the process of locking in general. I felt very comfortable in her presence and knew that I wouldn't mind working with this person over the next few years. We set my installation date and I left to go tell my husband all about it.
I told him about both meetings and the difference in prices. He said "Well, you are comfortable with the second consultant, go with her." Her price was higher, but I also feel that you get what you pay for. I read a blog one day that talked about the fact that Sisterlocks is a permanent undertaking and that if the foundation wasn't good, then the end result might not be good either.
I called my consultant to confirm, and I am constantly looking at my test locks, touching them, waiting anxiously for the day of my installation to arrive. Installation date is August 17-18, 2010. I am so excited. I can't wait.
I looked at the names on the Sisterlocks website and decided to Google them to see if anyone popped up. Three names popped up and I called the first on the list. When I first reached her, she was driving and we got disconnected. I called back and left two messages over the course of a week. She never called me back.
The second consultant I called was very pleasant and I scheduled a meeting with her. She was very nice, showed me the video, discussed my hair type, put test locks in my hair. I wasn't comfortable with some of the comments she made about the video. The Sisterlocks video is an older video, but in showing me the video the consultant complained about it instead of using it to explain more about the Sisterlocks installation process. She put the test locks (2 rows of 3 each-two different sizes) on the right side of my head, right above my ear, and then took them back out when I asked about their location and if she was going to leave them in. She mentioned that the Sisterlocks home office "didn't like her." She also stated that she usually installs medium and large locks. I got the feeling that I would wind up with medium or large locks if I were to choose her. I wanted small (but not micro). I decided that she was not the one for me. Her price was very reasonable, but I was looking for someone I connected with, felt comfortable with. After all, I will be working with this person for years to come.
The third consultant I contacted was very nice. When I initially called her, she was out of town. I called her again and was able to schedule a meeting with her on the same day as the first consultation which was great because I was in the area. I walked into her work space and was instantly put at ease. Incense, calming colors, soothing music, nice decor, professional set-up. She showed me the video, stopped the video periodically to point out the hair styles, talk about the comments and suggestions in the video, and even showed me beginning and current pictures of some of the women in the video. I liked that she was very thorough in the information she presented. I liked that she answered my questions and seemed very knowledgeable about my hair type and about the process of locking in general. I felt very comfortable in her presence and knew that I wouldn't mind working with this person over the next few years. We set my installation date and I left to go tell my husband all about it.
I told him about both meetings and the difference in prices. He said "Well, you are comfortable with the second consultant, go with her." Her price was higher, but I also feel that you get what you pay for. I read a blog one day that talked about the fact that Sisterlocks is a permanent undertaking and that if the foundation wasn't good, then the end result might not be good either.
I called my consultant to confirm, and I am constantly looking at my test locks, touching them, waiting anxiously for the day of my installation to arrive. Installation date is August 17-18, 2010. I am so excited. I can't wait.
New Style
I am soooooo exited. I recently decided to change my hairstyle. I have worn my hair "natural" for a while. Natural....as in how it grows from my head. Natural....as in the hair that God gave me. For years I permed it, pressed it, texturized it...all in search of something different. I have had every cut I could think of, only colored it once. I've braided it, wrapped it, worn a freeze (early 90's style fingerwave-don't laugh, it was really cute). After a texturizer in 2008 that didn't turn out the way I wanted, I decided that I was done with the chemicals and would let my hair grow as nature had intended. And grow it did. After a bad haircut six months into my journey, I went to a barber who cut all my hair off. It was shorter than I had intended (she cut off maybe 4 inches of hair), but it was cute.
Years ago I saw a woman at an event who had the cutest dread locks. They were super small and were cut into a really cute bob. I asked her about her hair and she told me she had Sisterlocks. At the time I was rocking a perm and didn't think the Sisterlocks style was for me (but then again, I thought only styles I could create with a perm were for me). As I began to grow my hair out after my last texturizer, I revisited the idea of Sisterlocks. I have been researching on and off for the past two years (about as long as I've been growing out my natural hair). I decided to take the plunge after months of deliberation. Did I want to lock my hair? Would I like it? Would it look good? What would my husband say? It is important to note that my husband has dreds. He has long dreds that he has been wearing since around 2001 or so. He didn't know what Sisterlocks were when I mentioned wanting them. He is okay with whatever style I choose, although I know for a fact that he prefers long hair.
I didn't need his "OK," but wanted his support on my journey. My next step is to find a consultant.
Years ago I saw a woman at an event who had the cutest dread locks. They were super small and were cut into a really cute bob. I asked her about her hair and she told me she had Sisterlocks. At the time I was rocking a perm and didn't think the Sisterlocks style was for me (but then again, I thought only styles I could create with a perm were for me). As I began to grow my hair out after my last texturizer, I revisited the idea of Sisterlocks. I have been researching on and off for the past two years (about as long as I've been growing out my natural hair). I decided to take the plunge after months of deliberation. Did I want to lock my hair? Would I like it? Would it look good? What would my husband say? It is important to note that my husband has dreds. He has long dreds that he has been wearing since around 2001 or so. He didn't know what Sisterlocks were when I mentioned wanting them. He is okay with whatever style I choose, although I know for a fact that he prefers long hair.
I didn't need his "OK," but wanted his support on my journey. My next step is to find a consultant.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Children are our future. Really?
You know, I try to believe that children are our future. I know they are. Truly. It is disheartening to look at the students I have, at their lack of caring about their education, about their poor attitudes and lack of desire to learn. It’s sad.
I think to myself, I will do all I can to teach these kids. Am I losing the battle? With some students I am...but the ones who want to learn, who come every day inspite of the obstacles they face in their neighborhoods where they live...I hope I am reaching them.
I can only hope.
But when I look at the clowns, the ones who disrupt class every day and stop others from learning, I think....these children are my future? Really?????
I think to myself, I will do all I can to teach these kids. Am I losing the battle? With some students I am...but the ones who want to learn, who come every day inspite of the obstacles they face in their neighborhoods where they live...I hope I am reaching them.
I can only hope.
But when I look at the clowns, the ones who disrupt class every day and stop others from learning, I think....these children are my future? Really?????
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Idiot Squad
It is a shame when there are students who just don’t seem to care about failing. I’ll call them...the Idiot Squad. These are students who come to school but don’t do any work. They sit in class and don’t listen. They talk all the time, even after repeated warnings. Consequences have no meaning for them. When called on their behavior, they act like idiots-denying what I had seen with my own eyes.
As a teacher, there is only so much I can do with students like these, those who simply don’t care. It makes me angry that these kids will not have the skills they need to succeed in the world of tomorrow. Some of them, like a teenaged girl I have, won’t do a thing. She watches as her mom and dad, both school drop outs, leech off of her grandmother who works hard to provide a roof over the heads of 2 grown individuals and their 11 kids. This young lady figures her parents were drop outs, so she will be as well.
I want to not care what happens to these students. But I find myself caring too much. Their lack of interest in education makes me angry.
And then...the parents of the students who have the worst behavior call for a conference. They then sit there and ask me what they should do about their kids horrible behavior. This behavior didn’t crop up all of a sudden, so they should have nipped it in the bud years ago when it started.
So I look at the idiot squad and mentally shake my head. These particular kids have no future if they don’t change their behavior.
So sad....little idiots. I can’t call them stupid. But I want to.
As a teacher, there is only so much I can do with students like these, those who simply don’t care. It makes me angry that these kids will not have the skills they need to succeed in the world of tomorrow. Some of them, like a teenaged girl I have, won’t do a thing. She watches as her mom and dad, both school drop outs, leech off of her grandmother who works hard to provide a roof over the heads of 2 grown individuals and their 11 kids. This young lady figures her parents were drop outs, so she will be as well.
I want to not care what happens to these students. But I find myself caring too much. Their lack of interest in education makes me angry.
And then...the parents of the students who have the worst behavior call for a conference. They then sit there and ask me what they should do about their kids horrible behavior. This behavior didn’t crop up all of a sudden, so they should have nipped it in the bud years ago when it started.
So I look at the idiot squad and mentally shake my head. These particular kids have no future if they don’t change their behavior.
So sad....little idiots. I can’t call them stupid. But I want to.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What the Hell???
I teach 8th graders. I have to wonder, what the hell are these kids learning at home? I mean, really.
On a daily basis here is a standard conversation:
Me: Where is your homework?
Student: I forgot it.
Me: You must want to flunk my class. You must not want to culminate.
Student: No, I wanna pass your class and I want to culminate.
Me: There is no way you can pass my class if you don’t do your work.
And yet the same students still refuse to do any work. Go figure.
Here is an example of how they write:
i am an eighth grader.i go to middle school i have lots of friends.lol.
No capitalization, no commas, no spaces. It’s bad. It’s like everything they learn goes in one ear and out the other.
No wonder I’m so tired every day when I leave school.
Calgon....take me away.
On a daily basis here is a standard conversation:
Me: Where is your homework?
Student: I forgot it.
Me: You must want to flunk my class. You must not want to culminate.
Student: No, I wanna pass your class and I want to culminate.
Me: There is no way you can pass my class if you don’t do your work.
And yet the same students still refuse to do any work. Go figure.
Here is an example of how they write:
i am an eighth grader.i go to middle school i have lots of friends.lol.
No capitalization, no commas, no spaces. It’s bad. It’s like everything they learn goes in one ear and out the other.
No wonder I’m so tired every day when I leave school.
Calgon....take me away.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
I like you...
One of my students, a teenage girl, told me today...
“Miss.... I like you, but in a strange way. You’re strict, but in a good way because you, like order and you push us to do our best.”
That made me feel good. It’s not like I particularly care whether or not the students like me. I care more about whether or not they are learning what I am trying to teach. It is nice to hear that my efforts aren’t wasted. I keep telling my students that there is a method to my madness...
“Miss.... I like you, but in a strange way. You’re strict, but in a good way because you, like order and you push us to do our best.”
That made me feel good. It’s not like I particularly care whether or not the students like me. I care more about whether or not they are learning what I am trying to teach. It is nice to hear that my efforts aren’t wasted. I keep telling my students that there is a method to my madness...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)